Abstract :
Most studies of writers have focused on Western writers,
including studies of personal characteristics and success. The
Chinese culture has traditionally had a much different view of
creativity. Would a study of modern Chinese writers mirror past
Western findings, indicating that Chinese and Western conceptions
of creativity may be converging, or would there be different
results? This study examined 722 twentieth-century
Chinese writers and yielded two main findings, which generally
correspond to past, Western-based research. First, female
writers, particularly poets and fiction writers, were more likely
to suffer a personal tragedy than male writers. Second, writers
who were politically persecuted were more likely to eventually
receive an award than those not politically persecuted. Explanations
and implications for future studies are then discussed.
